"Ask the Town" is a weekly series that features Vienna Public Information Officer Kirstyn Barr answering reader questions about anything and everything Vienna. Have a question? Leave it in the comments below; we'll answer it next week

I heard the Town has been looking into building a parking garage on Church Street. What's the status of this project and where can I learn more?

Yes, the Town is in the process of looking into building a parking garage on Church Street, specifically at 120 Church Street NW. Should this project come to fruition, this would be the first project the Town would undertake under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA). The act grants a public entity the opportunity to create public-private partnerships for the development of a wide range of projects for public use if the public entity (the Town) determines that there is a need for a project and that the private involvement may provide the project to the public in a timely or cost-effective fashion. 

Back in February of this year, the Town Council adopted procedures regarding requests made pursuant to the PPEA (http://www.viennava.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=854). This document was required before the Town could begin utilizing the act. Soon after its adoption, the Town received an unsolicited bid from Arrington Properties, LLC with a proposal to partner with the Town to build a parking structure on Church Street NW. You can view the initial submission, including the project scope and conceptual sketches, on the Town’s website.   (http://www.viennava.gov/index.aspx?NID=874)

We will be having three public meetings on this project next week and we encourage residents, businesses and anyone else interested in this project to attend one (or all!) of these community meetings. Town staff and other key individuals will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the project regarding its design and impact. 

• Church Street Merchants Community Meeting
  • Wednesday, August 15, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
    On the proposed site – 120 Church Street NW
    (Inclement weather location: Sweet City Desserts, 131-A Maple Ave W)

This meeting will focus on Church Street (and surrounding) businesses.

• Community Meetings
  • Thursday, August 16, 2 p.m.–4 p.m.
    Council Chambers, Town Hall 127 Center Street S
  • Thursday, August 16, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
    2^nd Floor Lobby, Town Hall 127 Center Street S

These meetings are open to the general public.

All of these informal meetings are free and open to anyone interested in this project. There is no need to RSVP and refreshments will be served at each meeting. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. In the meantime, you can read up on this proposal on the town’s website at http://www.viennava.gov/index.aspx?nid=856.

About this column: Have a question about Vienna? We have answers. Each week, Public Information Officer Kirstyn Barr will respond to reader questions about Vienna. Leave your questions in the comments; we'll include it in next week's column.

Related Articles:

• Town to Host Meetings on Proposed Parking Garage, Aug. 10
• Church Street Height Limit Debate Continues, April 19
• Town Receives Plan for Parking, Retail Space, March 20